Tuesday, February 09, 2010

I deserve a medal

Today was the day I became a true Minnesotan.

(drumroll please)
I shoveled my driveway.

Let me say that again.
I shoveled my driveway.

I lived in Utah for 5 years
Cleveland for 4 years
This is my second winter in Minnesota
I've been married for almost 8 years
I have never shoveled snow from my driveway.
I have never shoveled snow. period.


Today, school was cancelled due to the snowstorm that's been hitting us hard since yesterday and will continue throughout the day.
Hence my plans to go to the grocery store this morning were also cancelled. There are just some things I don't do with three kids.
BUT...we were out of diet coke. Kwik Trip is just down the street. And I can do Kwik Trip with three kids, snowstorm or not.
Then I looked out my window. At least 4 inches of fresh snow on the driveway that Paul shoveled just last night? No problem, I can get through that in my mininvan. The bank of snow at the bottom of the driveway (caused by the snowplows) as high as my waist? Problem. Even if I got out I knew there would be no getting back in. Our driveway is steep.
I thought about an entire day and night inside, alone (Paul is on-call) with all three of my kids.
I thought about it for o.03 seconds.
And at 7:30am I put the baby in the crib, geared up, and got to work.

Besides the fact that I was dripping sweat and my back and and arms will be so sore tomorrow I'm not sure I'll be able to hold my baby...it was kind of nice. Beautiful, peaceful, quiet. I almost didn't mind it. (Ssshhhhh, don't tell my husband.)

And so today I am a true Minnesotan.
I take that back - true Minnesotans have snow blowers.
Today, I am a mother of three, with a husband who works a lot, on a tight budget (and maybe a coke addiction).
And I shoveled my driveway.
The whole dang thing.


And I am currently enjoying a nice, big, cold Diet Coke : )


p.s. I had to page Paul at work to share with him my big accomplishment. He was busy. All I said was, "I shoveled the driveway." All he said was, "No Way" laughing, and then he had to go. He called back a bit later when he had a few minutes to spare. I answered the phone and heard Paul say, "So tell me."


23 comments:

Lori said...

I freaking love you! You make me LAUGH so much - and I really need to laugh. And I really need to feel ok about my new diet coke addiction, so thank you, thank you!

JoAnna said...

I LOVE IT!!!! I am laughing out loud! Thanks for putting a smile on my face today! I needed this. (And I like to shovel/snowblow/mow the lawn. It is the peace and quiet that I love. Every time I'm out shoveling, I'm hoping that no nice neighbor will come help me. Than my fun would be ruined. Unfortunately, my neighbors are too nice to let a 9 month prego woman shovel. Don't they know I'm desperately trying to induce labor???)

mandy* said...

The first thing I thought of when I saw the weather on GMA this morning was, "Whoa - I wonder how Summer is doing." Nice job!!!

Shellie said...

Sum, I just love ya! You seriously make me smile with every single post! I love that you paged Paul, and I love his reaction....priceless. Did I mention I miss seeing ya?

Sarah said...

I LOVE it! :) And I love you. You just made my day :)

Carolyn Hanson said...

Wish I could have seen it! I seriously would have pulled over and cheered you on. Go Summer!!!!

Faye said...

Pretty dang funny!

Tiffany said...

you are freaking amazing. i would never shovel snow. except maybe i would if my diet cherry pepsi was on the line...
and i laughed out loud at pauls reaction :) so funny!

Michele said...

good stuff. i would do it too for a diet coke. we are sisters!

John said...

Why do my daughters abuse coke?

Tiffany said...

because you raised on that stuff, Dad. Don't act like its not your fault...

Lexie said...

I am so impressed that you have never shoveled a driveway before. Way to make it through all those Utah, Ohio, and a Minnesota winter, I am so impressed!

robyne said...

Do you know how many driveways I have shovled??? Enough to finally get a Quad with a blade we can take on and off! I am so proud of you-you rock Summer!

Unknown said...

Great story Summer. I have never shoveled an entire driveway so yes, I think you absolutely deserve a medal! I understand about lonely nights. Mike's gone for 5 weeks right now and it's killing me! I'm so over jobs that require so many hours away from home :( Wish I was there to hang out and enjoy a Coke with you. Only can I make mine cherry?

Kadie said...

If only we lived closer! Our lives at times seem so parallel! Tharren worked 96 hours last week and hasen't had a day off in 15 days. I started shoveling our driveway this winter too, my first as well! I am feeling your pain and accomplishment!

Carrie Anne said...

ah...the things we do for diet coke!!!!! i am laughing so hard! that is awesome!!! the thing is...i'd probably do the same thing b/c the thought of being indoors for that long would be a definite must have diet coke moment. you.are.awesome. happy snowed in days!!!!

Tracey said...

I'm so impressed and love Paul's response! You guys are awesome!

Anonymous said...

gunnsmoke.blogspot.com; You saved my day again.

gregandlaura said...

You are hilarious! That is a huge accomplishment! I love how you only had a few seconds to tell paul on the phone, until he could call you back. I totally understand that one! Usually its "I'm going to die or kill someone, call me back fast! :)"

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